PRAYER (INTRODUCTION)
A
young boy was pretending to be
His imaginary ship landed in the living room and he “came ashore” by climbing on to the sofa.
He
used a stick for the flag and claimed the new land for
The young man then thanked God for his safe journey over the sea.
The young man’s mother looked up and said, “That’s praying”
“Thanking God for safe passage is a prayer.”
The young man responded, “Why that’s easy (Richards, p. 17).
In the Old Testament there are at least a dozen different words that describe prayer.
The New Testament has at least seven more words that describe prayer.
The many different words for prayer show that this subject is important to God.
THIS
MORNING I WANT TO MAKE THREE SIMPLE POINTS ABOUT PRAYER. FIRST, THE PEOPLE OF GOD WHO KNEW HOW PRAY UNDERSTOOD THEY COULD
PRAY AT ANY TIME AND ANY PLACE. SECOND, MANY OF THE GREAT
PEOPLE OF GOD WHO HAVE PRAYED SENT A SPONTANEOUS MESSAGE TO HEAVEN. THIRD, THE PRAYERS OF THOSE WHO KNEW HOW TO PRAY WERE SAID USING
ORDINARY SPEECH.
a) Let’s start with the first point.
b) The people in the Bible who knew how to pray felt free to pray at any time and any place.
c) In Judg. 16 we read about a time in Samson’s life when things were pretty bad.
d) Samson had been blinded by the Philistines (Judg. 16:21).
e) This verse also reveals that he was grinding in the prison house.
f) Israel’s great hero had been reduced to the status of a blind slave and prisoner.
g) Samson was being mocked (verse 27) and he decided to pray (verse 28).
h) Samson had lost his sight, his status, his freedom, and he was a prisoner.
i) While in the midst of his enemies and while being made fun of he decided to pray.
i) This example is one that needs to be taught to America’s children.
ii) There was, much to our dismay, another school shooting.
iii) When a young man was picked on he decided to use a gun.
iv) Samson decided to pray.
j) The Bible implies that God answered this prayer.
k) Even now we are sometimes surrounded by an enemy.
i) Perhaps we are being annoyed or taunted.
ii) Just being in the presence of a certain person or family may make us feel awful.
iii) The Bible teaches that on an occasion such as this prayer is appropriate.
iv) Samson prayed while in the midst of his enemies.
v) This example would be a blessing to our nation and it will certainly help us.
l) Great people of God felt free to pray at other times.
m) Moving back in Biblical history (Gen. 18:22-33) we read about Abraham.
n) This man received some heavenly visitors who promised that destruction was coming.
o) Sodom, Gomorrah, and two other cities were going to be annihilated.
p) Do we remember what Abraham said?
i) He said to God, “What if 50 righteous can be found (verse 24)?
ii) What about 40? 30? 20? 10?
iii) Abraham prayed on behalf of others.
iv) When he saw that others were about to be destroyed he understood that he could approach God in pryayer.
v) What about us?
vi) We too see can see destruction coming.
vii) We see marriages that are close to destruction.
viii) We see young people who are taking a taking a course that will hurt and destroy them.
ix) We hear about, on a regular basis, the destruction of unborn children.
x) God’s people should pray on behalf of others without shame and without hesitation.
xi) When we see destruction coming to a person, a group, congregation, or a nation, it is time to pray.
2) A few chapters later in Genesis we find another reason for praying.
a) Abraham sent a servant to select a bride for his son Isaac.
b) Picking out the right wife for someone would be a difficult job.
c) The servant said to God, “O Lord God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day.”
d) When should we pray? Gen. 24:11-14 tells us to pray before starting an important project.
e) Before we begin a task that is complex or very involved we should pray.
f) The servant who prayed for help was aided by God.
3) A little later in the book of Genesis (43:14) we read about a famine in the land of Canaan.
a) People were hungry. The only food supply was in Egypt.
b) Jacob’s sons had already made one trip to Egypt.
c) If they returned to the man in charge (Joseph) Jacob’s youngest son had to be brought.
d) This request was more than Jacob could take.
e) Jacob believed that Joseph was dead. He had lost a wife.
f) The thought of losing Benjamin to some stranger in Egypt was more than he could bear.
g) The famine got worse and worse. Finally another trip to Egypt had to be made.
h) Jacob asked that God help his sons – Gen. 43:14.
i) In this situation Jacob had to submit to the Egyptian rule if he wanted food.
j) If the Egyptian ruler wanted to keep Benjamin Jacob would lose another son.
k) Jacob was in a situation where he couldn’t do anything.
l) Because the situation was beyond his control he prayed.
m) We too sometimes encounter situations that are beyond our control.
n) When these times arise we should feel free to pray.
4) In some circumstances we are not completely helpless.
a) Things are not too bad but they could be better.
b) This is somewhat parallel to Josh. 10:12.
c) Hailstones destroyed many of Israel’s enemies but the opposing force was not entirely defeated.
d) Joshua decided to pray. He wanted total victory.
e) He didn’t want a single enemy soldier to escape.
f) Thus, he prayed this prayer – Josh. 10:12-13.
g) There are times in life when we need a little extra help.
h) We need a little more or something beyond what we have.
i) During times like these Christians should feel free to pray.
5) THESE EXAMPLES SHOW THAT GREAT PEOPLE HAVE FELT FREE TO PRAY IN MANY DIFFERENT SITUATIONS. NOW WE WANT TO TURN OUR ATTENTION TO THE SPONTANEOUS MESSAGES THAT HAVE BEEN SENT TO GOD.
a) In Num. 12:13 Moses sister (Miriam) was plagued by leprosy.
b) She had challenged Moses’ leadership and this was her punishment.
c) Moses led a spontaneous prayer on her behalf – Num. 12:13.
d) We may leave the impression that spontaneous prayers are uncommon or less effective than planned prayer.
e) This isn’t true.
f) Giving forethought to prayer is acceptable and in some cases a very good approach.
g) However, spontaneous prayers are also very effective.
h) Think of Peter on the water (Mt. 14:30-31). He started to sink and said, “Lord save me.”
i) This was a spontaneous prayer and it worked.
j) Gideon was someone who was familiar with spontaneous prayer.
k) This man had an army of 32,000 men but he was still concerned.
l) He asked God for a sign to reassure him.
m) God made some fleece damp with dew and the ground was dry.
n) Then the process was reversed.
o) Here is a man who received a sign but immediately asked for another.
p) God granted his request. God listens to spontaneous prayers.
6) My final example of spontaneous prayer comes from David, 2 Sam. 15:31.
a) This great man of God was running from his son Absalom.
b) David received a report that said an old friend (Ahithophel) had turned against him.
c) When this news was received this prayer was uttered, 2 Sam. 15:31.
d) People prayed in a way that was spontaneous because they believed God was watching.
e) People prayed in this way because they were convinced God was working in their lives.
f) Since God was close by great Bible characters didn’t hesitate to use pray as a cry for help.
g) Spontaneous prayer shows that talking with God was the first and not the last choice.
7) WHEN GREAT MEN AND WOMEN IN THE BIBLE SPOKE WITH GOD THEY USED SIMPLE LANGUAGE.
a) Remember the little boy who pretended to be Columbus?
b) He said, “Thank you God for a safe trip.”
c) Great Bible characters are pictured as praying in the same way.
d) Think of Peter—Lord save me. Every word in this prayer has only one syllable.
e) This prayer didn’t require a Doctorate in theology.
8) Many are aware that Solomon was invited by God to ask for a gift.
9) In responding to God in prayer this is what the wise man said, 1 Kgs. 3:9.
a) This simple request was answered.
b) Even now God answers simple requests.
10) According to 2 Kgs. 19:15-19 the Assyrian army had surrounded Jerusalem.
11) Sennacherib, the person in charge of the invasion, demanded that Jerusalem surrender.
12) As the Assyrians waited for an answer, this prayer was uttered:
13) “Now therefore, O Lord our God, I pray, save us from his hand.”
14) That prayer worked. 85,000 Assyrian soldiers died in a single night.
15) Nehemiah
was having a difficult time and he prayed, “Now therefore, O God, strengthen my
hands (Neh. 6:9b).
16) The great people of God have understood three things about prayer.
a) They were free to pray at any time and place.
b) Their prayers could be spontaneous.
c) They didn’t need eloquent speech or big words to be heard by God.
17) God is ready to hear His people pray.
a) One lady who became aware of this did a lot of ironing.
b)
One day this housewife thought about different kinds of
lines—
Bus lines, clotheslines, fishing lines, telephone lines, etc.
c) She said to herself, “Why not have a prayer line.”
d) She strung a short rope across the area where she ironed and put name cards on the line.
e) As she ironed she spontaneously prayed for the name on each card.
f) It wasn’t long before he friends said, “Would you add me to the line?”
g) Free to pray at any time and place, spontaneous, and simple words.
18) Have we reached the point where we are ready to pray at any time or place?
19) Can we pray in a way that is spontaneous?
20) Are we convinced that the simplest of prayers are effective?